Thin-Client GIS Research for Resource Managers

Bill Slocumb GIS Specialist and Research Associate North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC National Park Service Northeast Region Research and Technical Support for GIS

Presentation Focus Areas

    Enterprise Goal User Needs Deployment Options  Google Earth  ArcIMS   ArcGIS Server Virtual Computing Laboratory (VCL) VCL System

GIS Enterprise Goal:  To rapidly deploy customized GIS applications using standard and project specific spatial and tabular data to parks and programs to enhance current capabilities.

Spatial Database Development and User Needs

  Incorporate:   Fire I&M Inventories    Vegetation Cultural Resources Park Specific Data Maintain relationships between spatial and tabular data

GEWA Fish Inventory

Spatial Database Development Objectives     Incorporate different data sets Create relationships to external databases Allow for:  Concurrent / Single editing  Concurrent viewing  User accounts (security) Provide database for customized GIS applications and analysis

Natural Resources Condition Assessment and General Management Planning   NR Condition Assessments  In Review:  ACAD, GATE, FIIS, SAHI  Starting:  CACO, BOHA, GEWA, MIMA, SAIR GMPs  BOHA, CEBE, FIIS, MORR, SARA 3-D rendering at Boston Harbor Islands NRA

Deployment Options

    Google Earth  Primarily viewing ArcIMS  Limited functionality ArcGIS Server   System resource intensive Not a mature environment Virtual Computing Laboratory    Thin client Full GIS functionality Quickly deploy customized applications

Google Earth Configuration ArcGIS Desktop (Network Link: KML or KMZ) Storage Management System (Spatial Data) Web Server Thin Client (Google Earth) Email (Network Link)

ESRI Enterprise GIS Configurations Thin Client (Web Browser) ArcGIS Server ArcIMS ArcSDE MS SQL Server Storage Management System DB Admin

VCL Enterprise GIS Configurations Thin Client (Remote Desktop Connection) “Blade” (ArcGIS Desktop) ArcSDE Storage Management System (ESRI Map Documents) (Enterprise and Personal Geodatabases) MS SQL Server DB Admin

Virtual Computing Lab (VCL)      Schedule reservation Remote desktop connection Uses standard windows OS and tools Concurrent viewing Single edit session by owner

VCL     No additional client software needed Run current version of selected software Publish customized ArcMap documents Looks like your desktop!!

http://vcl.ncsu.edu

http://www.cwhonors.org/viewCaseStudy.asp?NominationID=323

Interagency Environmental Review   Identify areas and features of interest within a given radius or contained within a selected feature Data Includes  Natural Heritage Areas  National Natural Landmarks   Major Federal Lands National Register Properties  National Historic Landmarks

Current Activities and Discussion

    VCL prototype applications: Interagency Review, Fire, Interagency Trails and GEWA GMP; Test working with local data on VCL; Continue investigating ArcGIS Server; and Continued development of custom applications with regional and park staff.